Last Update 2019.06.12

Q. I intend to work while studying, can I complete the master's degree program by taking courses in the evening or on weekends only?

The courses are generally held on weekdays during the daytime. However, some intensive courses are offered on Saturdays or during long holidays.

Q. What are the schedules of the announcement of the admission guidelines and the entrance examinations?

Please visit here "Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering(PDF)". We also hold the orientation for entrance examinations in May.

Q. In TPPS (Tsukuba's Policy and Planning Sciences) , what is the ratio of students who graduated from other universities and/or colleges?

About 60~70% of graduate students are from outside the University of Tsukuba.

Q. Should I consult with my prospective supervisor prior to applying for admission?

Yes, you are required to obtain prior consent of acceptance from your prospective supervisor.

Q. I would like to receive the supervision in English.

It is possible to receive the supervision in English. However, you are advised to obtain the prior agreement from your prospective supervisor.

Q. Is this possible to obtain a teacher's certificate at TPPS (Tsukuba's Policy and Planning Sciences) ?

Although it is not possible to obtain a teacher's certificate by taking courses at TPPS (Tsukuba's Policy and Planning Sciences) , it is possible to do so by taking designated courses offered by other graduate schools within the university.

Q. Please show me the list of laboratories that are not full and can receipt new research students.

Please contact your prospective supervisor for this information because the capacity of a laboratory is not fixed.

Q. Is there any difference between students coming from other graduate schools and internal students?

There is no difference in the curriculum.

Q. Is it possible to enroll in October?

No, currently the TPPS (Tsukuba's Policy and Planning Sciences) only accepts enrollment in April.

Q. In the requirements for the recommendation based admission, is it necessary that my credits are related to policy and planning sciences?

In the recommendation based admission, there is no constraint on the credits you obtained. However, we recommend you to contact your prospective supervisor in order to know which subjects you should learn in advance.

About application process

Q. I do not have a degree certificate. In this case, do I need an eligibility screening?

Q. Given an approval for becoming a research student in the April enrollment, if I pass the entrance examination for Master's Programs in February, is it possible to enroll as a master student?

Yes, you can.

About entrance examinations

Q. What level of knowledge are we expected to be familiar with for the “Microeconomics” subject exam?

Applicants are expected to be familiar with the concepts and methods of microeconomics, for example, in the following books.
(In English) Hal R. Varian, Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach (Ninth Edition).
(In Japanese) Hal R. Varian, Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach (Ninth Edition), Translated by Ryuzo Sato (Ed.), Keiso-Shobo.
(In Japanese) Michihiro Kandori, Mikuro Keizaigaku no Chikara [The Power of Microeconomics], Nihon-Hyoronsha.

Q. For native English speakers or students graduated from Native English Universities, is it necessary to submit an English language test score?

Yes. One must submit an English language test score (TOEFL or TOEIC).

Q. Can I submit "TOEIC Score Report" as English exam?

You are required to submit an original copy of the "TOEIC Official Score Certificate".

Q. Which type of TOEFL score, iBT or ITP, should I submit?

You should submit your iBT score report. ITP is NOT acceptable.

Q. Can the TOEFL score be directly sent from ETS to the University of Tsukuba?

No, you should submit the Examinee Score Report, which is sent to the TOEFL examinee. You must attach it to the designated paper and bring it with you on the day of the examination.

Q. Can I do the interview examination in English?

Yes, you can.

Q. Please show the weight of English and the converting method of TOEIC score in the entrance examination.

Please refer to the application requirements for the weight of English. We do not open the converting method of TOEIC score.

About Doctoral Program

Q. I do not have two refereed academic papers published. Can I still apply for the Early Completion Course?

No, having two or more refereed academic papers is the necessary condition to apply for the Early Completion Course.

Q. About syllabus and number of credits required to complete Doctoral program.

12 credits of the following 6 classes, which are related to the dissertation research, are required: Special Doctoral Seminar in Policy and Planning Sciences I ~ IV
and Special Doctoral Research Work in Policy and Planning Sciences I ~ II. Regarding the other 8 credits, you can choose any course offered by the TPPS (Tsukuba's Policy and Planning Sciences) .

Q. About requirements of doctoral degree acquisition (necessary conditions for submission of the doctoral dissertation).

12 credits of Special Doctoral Seminar in Policy and Planning Sciences I ~ IV and Special Doctoral Research Work in Policy and Planning Sciences I ~ II are required.

Q. Is TOEFL or TOIEC required for the application of Doctoral Programs?

No, none of them is required. TOEFL or TOEIC score is necessary for the application of Master's Programs, not Doctoral Programs.

Others

Q. How to become a research student in the TPPS (Tsukuba's Policy and Planning Sciences) ?